Football Law Enforcement Board (IFAB) has adopted number of new amendments like the number of substitutions, number of listed substitute players, the number and location of additional technical seats and the use of electronic means like Laptops for staffs. While some of these changes will be in effect in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, others will be used in various competitions like 2020 European Championship.

Rule changes: number of substitutions

• Up to five substitutions per team are allowed;

This rule will be used in the following competitions:

• UEFA Youth League 2018/19
• UEFA European Under-17 & Under-19 Championship 2018/19
• UEFA European Women’s Under-17 & Under-19 Championship 2018/19

Additional substitution in case of extra time

An additional substitution is allowed in the following  competitions (the maximum of three substitutions in regular time is still valid):

• UEFA Champions League 2018/19
• UEFA Europa League 2018/19
• UEFA Super Cup 2018
• UEFA Women’s Champions League 2018/19
• UEFA European Football Championship 2018-20
• UEFA Women’s European Championship 2019-21
• UEFA Regions Cup 2018/19
• UEFA Nations League 2018/19 – final phase
• 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup European qualifying competition – first and second playoff rounds
• UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2017-19 – Play-offs for the finals and semi-finals, final and play-off match for the final round of the Olympic Games in Italy (June 2019)
• UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship 2017/18 – semi-finals and final at the finals in Switzerland (July 2018)
• UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2017/18 – semi-finals, final and play-off match to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Finland (July 2018)

If less than three substitutions have been made in normal time, one team will still be entitled to a total of four substitutions in the event of extra time.

Also Read: Late goals from Thailand hands India U16 their 2nd loss of the campaign

Maximum number of substitutes that can be listed on the game sheet

• In the following UEFA competitions, up to twelve substitutes may be listed on the match sheet:

UEFA Super Cup 2018,

UEFA European U-21 Championship 2017-19 (finals)

UEFA Nations League 2018/19 (all matches)

UEFA European Football Championship 2018-20

UEFA European Women’s Championship 2019-21 (final)

• In the following competitions, a maximum of nine substitutes may be listed on the match sheet:

UEFA Regions’ Cup 2018/19 (finals)

UEFA European Under-17 & Under-19 Championship 2018/19 (all matches)

UEFA European Women’s Under-17 & Under-19 Championship 2018/19 (all matches)

Use of electronic means of communication in the technical zone

Another new rule that will take effect in all UEFA Competitions is the use of electronic devices like Phone, Tablets and Laptops. According to this rule, the hand-held electronic equipment can be used by coaches and team staffs from the stands or on the bench if it is directly related to player’s welfare or safety, or there are tactical/coaching reasons. These rule received a major boost after medical officials failed to notice Ramos-Karius collision in 2017-18 champions league final, which could have resulted in serious concussion.

Small portable devices like Microphone, headphones, earphones, mobile phone, Smartphone, smart watch, tablet, laptop will all be allowed to used. Team Officers using improper equipment or behaving inappropriately in this context will be expelled from the technical zone.

Also Read: Indian Olympic Association denies Asian Games participation for Indian football team

Also Read: India U17 go down 0-1 to China U17 in opening game of 4 nation tournament

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The UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool might be over, but the debate over the Salah-injury is not.

Football fans across the globe voiced their protests against Sergio Ramos for fouling Mo Salah. A lawyer has even filed a case against Sergio Ramos for mentally and physically hurting Salah and people of Egypt. However, Sergio Ramos, recently, claimed that Salah started the tussle. He also criticised Karius, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino.

He even said, “I am only missing Roberto Firmino saying he got a cold because a drop of my sweat landed on him.”

Responding to it, Brazilian footballer and Liverpool star Roberto Firmino said, ” I prefer not to make any comments. I think he has a view because he was the champion but I thought he was an idiot for what he said but that’s okay.”

Firmino is in the Brazil squad to face Austria this Sunday and is likely to start the game. The Liverpool midfielder had a good season at Liverpool and will be hoping to do the same things for Brazil.

Brazil will fly to Russia after the Austria match and would be eager to prove their dominance in the world again.

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Sergio Ramos, time and again, has been a controversial figure. A tenacious, sturdy Central defender and arguably one of the best defenders in the world, Sergio Ramos often gets noticed by others for all the wrong reasons.

He has been doing an incredible job for both Real Madrid and Spain National Team but hogs the limelight for the wrong reasons. A tough tackler, Ramos recently had his name in the headlines after a controversial tackle was made against Salah, who got injured during the Champions League final.

However, according to Real Madrid midfielder and German National team player, Toni Kroos,  Ramos’ challenge on Salah was not intentional. The German Sniper said, “I am quite sure that Sergio had no intention of hurting Salah.”

Ramos is often gets criticized for his aggressive style of play. But, the German midfielder again backed him, saying, “He is not an aggressive player,”

Tony Kroos also added he was proud that Ramos was their captain.

Both Ramos and Tony Kroos are at their nations training camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup, to be held in Russia. Kroos and Co. will start the tournament with an aim to retain their crown, while Ramos’ Spain will be looking to reclaim what they lost in Brazil 2014.

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UEFA, on 06 – 05 – 2018, has announced an increase in the UEFA Champions League prize fund, which will enable clubs to earn more than they had earned in the previous editions.

According to the latest report, UEFA will have a  fund of 1.95 billion euros ($2.28 billion), up from 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 billion) this season, which is to be given to the 32 participating teams.

The report also suggests that a team would at least earn 15.25 million euros ($17.8 million) + would get 2.7 million euros ($3.15 million) per win and 900,000 euros ($1.05 million) per draw in the groups.

Teams will be paid more according to their performance. (ie; Teams, who reach Quarter Finals will earn more than those who get eliminated in the Round of 16 )

According to the announcement, Real Madrid will at least earn more than 50 million euros ($60 million), which is a staggering amount. Real Madrid, who are ranked 1st in the UEFA, will get 32 shares, with each share worth 1.1 million euros ($1.3 million).

The Second-ranked club will get 31 shares, while the third-ranked club will get 30 shares and so on. The 32nd-ranked club will get only one share.

They have also increased the Prize fund for the UEFA Europa League. There, the prize fund is 560 million euros ($654 million). And, it will see all the 48 group-stage participants getting 2.92 million euros ($3.4 million).

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Real Madrid clinched their third consecutive Champions League trophy last month. However, in the match, Liverpool’s star player Mohamed Salah got injured after a duel with Sergio Ramos. The Egyptian was forced to leave the pitch following it. The tide got turned after Klopp substituted Salah and Real Madrid eventually went on to win the UEFA Champions League.

Since then, football fans across the globe have been criticizing Sergio Ramos for his challenge on Mo Salah. The fans were furious and even demanded UEFA should punish Sergio Ramos. A lawyer has even filed a complaint against the Spanish defender.

Responding to this, Sergio Ramos said, “I didn’t want to speak because everything is magnified. I see the play well, he grabs my arm first and I fell to the other side, the injury happened to the other arm and they said that I gave him a judo hold. After the goalkeeper said that I dazed him with a clash with me I am only missing Firmino saying that he got a cold because of a drop of my sweat.”

He also confirmed he had chatted with Mo Salah over the issue and replies were positive, saying, “I spoke with Salah through messages he was quite good. He could have played if he got an injection for the second half, I have done it sometimes but when Ramos does something like this, it sticks a little bit more. I don’t know if it’s because you’re at Madrid for so long and win for so long that people look at it a different way.”

Egypt has included Mo Salah in their squad for the FIFA World Cup and is expected he would turn fit before their first game in Russia. If he plays, it will lighten up Egypt’s chances of advancing further.

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Real Madrid scripted history when they defeated Liverpool to clinch their third UEFA Champions League trophy, becoming the first team to do so in the Post-Champions League era.

Cristiano Ronaldo also became the player with most UEFA Champions League trophy in the Post-Champions League. He has won 5 titles, one with Manchester United and the remaining with Real Madrid.

Even though he didn’t score in the final against Liverpool, he was impressive for Real Madrid throughout the Champions League. He has scored 15 goals this season and is their top-scorer.

Speaking after the match, Ronaldo said, “Perhaps they need to change the name of the Champions League to the CR7 Champions League,”

He also mentioned his achievements in the Champions League, saying “Who has the most titles and who has the most goals?”

Ronaldo is UEFA Champions League’s all-time top-scorer. He has been in tremendous form for Real Madrid this season, helping them slay the likes of Bayern Munichen, PSG on their way to the finals.

However, Ronaldo’s future at Real Madrid is uncertain, as the player hinted a move away from Madrid this summer. Contrarily, Real Madrid teammates and coach Zinedine Zidane were optimistic that Ronaldo would stay at Real Madrid.

Earlier, there were rumours suggesting Ronaldo had offers from Manchester United, his former club.

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A game, which had all the flavours of an enthralling FINAL. A game, which had the tempo the FINAL warranted, Real Madrid vs Liverpool had everything. From the explosive start Liverpool had, to the experienced campaigners at Real Madrid running the show, it was an action-packed 90 minutes, to say the least.

It had moments that made the entire football fraternity cry. It had moments of sheer intelligence and talent. It had moments of extreme battles. THIS IS WHAT WE CALL THE FINAL!

Real Madrid and its incredible story continue! They have made this tournament their own. Three Seasons, Three Trophies, Incredible stuff! Oh, Liverpool! You weren’t bad. You won our hearts. Klopp, you have made us fall in love with Liverpool. You deserved to come triumphant, but this is football! You had the contingent to conquer Europe, but you played against a Real Madrid-side that had time and again proved their worth in Europe’s biggest competition.

Without further ado, let’s take a look 4 talking points.

Liverpool had a dream start

It was obvious that Liverpool would go on and attack Real Madrid right from the start. But, not even the ardent Liverpool fans would have expected them to attack with this intensity.

Real Madrid were well equipped to face Liverpool’s attack, but still, they floundered. Klopp had directed his side to go on and attack in numbers.

Mane, Salah, Firmino, Arnold and everyone, I mean everyone surged upwards to contribute to Liverpool’s attack and the chaos would have arisen at the Real Madrid defence, had Salah not been withdrawn.

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Cristiano Ronaldo is 33-years-old, but his fitness might make people think he is a youngster. The way Ronaldo keeps his body fit is incredible.

It has helped him on a massive scale. The Real Madrid attacker has been able to adapt the ineluctable changes his age has brought in.

Cristiano Ronaldo, too, thinks the same. Speaking to Spanish television programme El Chiringuito in an exclusive interview, Ronaldo said, “Right now, I have a biological age of 23,”

Ronaldo has no plans of retiring from football, anytime soon. The Portuguese Skipper said, “I have still got time a long time left, I can keep playing until I’m 41. I’m feeling good, happy, I can’t complain. We are playing another final on Saturday and the fans are behind Cristiano,”

Real Madrid will face Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League Final on 27th May.  Real Madrid is on the way to retain the title for the third consecutive time, while Liverpool will be aiming to end the season with a European glory.

Ronaldo will take the centre-stage on the final. Real Madrid expects Ronaldo would deliver what he does on the biggest stages.

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